ACS International School Cobham

Wellbeing is an integral part of ACS Cobham, with a dedicated wellbeing team providing a safe, healthy, and respectful environment. The Pastoral Team works to support students' health, wellbeing, academics, and everyday life, offering both individual and group support and coordinating with families. Counsellors collaborate with parents and teachers to identify needs and may refer to external professionals when appropriate. PSHE is embedded across the curriculum to develop compassionate, confident, and responsible individuals, reinforced through advisory structures and whole-cohort activities. Student wellbeing ambassadors and a proactive wellbeing program ensure student voices are heard in campaigns and initiatives, while a Medical Centre on site offers medical support for physical and mental health needs. DEIB and inclusive practices run throughout, and boarding welfare is supported by a dedicated team and wellbeing initiatives.

ACS Cobham provides Special Education Needs and Disability (SEN/D) provision in line with the organisation's SEN/D policy. The policy defines SEN as difficulties that require extra educational provision and identifies four broad areas of need: communication and interaction, cognition and learning, social, emotional and mental health, and sensory and/or physical needs. It promotes inclusive practice, removing barriers to learning, high-quality teaching, early identification, and regular review with family involvement. Service provision follows a multi-tier system (MTSS) with dedicated SEN staff, integration into mainstream classes, and a mix of universal, targeted, and specialist supports; on-site provision and access to external specialists are coordinated by case managers. Regular Student Services Teams, staff training, and the use of assistive technologies support learning, with additional supports determined by individual needs.

The EAL programme helps students achieve proficiency in academic English to thrive in a global community and succeed in AP and IBDP courses. The programme is personalised for each learner and includes Intensive English Courses with small-group instruction led by EAL specialists, initially up to three lessons per day. Academic Language Development provides in-class support for math, science, and humanities to help students analyse complex texts and write effectively in English. A dedicated case manager monitors each learner's progress, using the WIDA framework to benchmark growth across listening, speaking, reading, and writing. The EAL approach uses Universal Design for Learning to ensure accessibility, with boarding offering additional homework support and opportunities to maintain home languages; IB Diploma students can pursue self-taught literature options toward the IB Bilingual Diploma. Graduates routinely go on to top universities in the UK, US, and elsewhere.

Mental wellbeing is supported as part of the school's overall wellbeing program. A central wellbeing team and dedicated pastoral staff create a safe, healthy environment founded on mutual respect and trust. The Pastoral Team strengthens health, wellbeing, academics, and life skills, with both individual and group support and collaboration with families. Several full-time counsellors work with parents and teachers to address needs, with external referrals used when necessary. PSHE education promotes resilience, digital citizenship, healthy relationships, and personal development across year groups, guided by a proactive wellbeing program and student wellbeing ambassadors. The Ready to Thrive initiative provides safe spaces and wellbeing hubs, and there are wellbeing ambassadors and student voice channels to influence wellbeing campaigns. The school operates a Medical Centre with nurses and links to local care to support physical and mental health, and boarders receive 24/7 welfare support, including the Lotus Project for regular one-to-one coaching. DEIB is embedded across the community, ensuring inclusive support for neurodiversity and mental health needs.

ACS Cobham follows the Safeguarding & Child Protection Policy (publication date September 2025) to keep children safe and secure in ACS schools. The policy affirms that safeguarding is everyone's responsibility and aims to provide a safe, welcoming environment where concerns can be raised and addressed promptly. It aligns with statutory and local guidance, including Keeping Children Safe in Education, and sets out roles and responsibilities for staff, trustees, and leadership. The policy enshrines a zero-tolerance approach to sexual violence and harassment and emphasizes early identification of risk, collaboration with parents and external agencies, and high-quality safeguarding practice across the school. It also covers reporting and responding to safeguarding concerns, the involvement of the Designated Safeguarding Lead (DSL) and Local Authority processes, and coordination with local safeguarding partnerships. All staff are required to uphold safeguarding duties, with on-site and partner resources used to support children in need or at risk.